Community rallies round grief-striken family as they say farewell to son

FOLLOWING the tragic loss of their 17-year-old son Sam Chambers in a road collision, his grief-stricken parents have been overwhelmed by the extraordinary kindness and charity of the local community and beyond.

Vic and Paul Chambers would like to express their gratitude and say a huge thank you to many companies and individuals.

This includes Kev's Cars and Coaches of Bromsgrove, who laid on a 57 seater bus free of charge to transport Sam's friends from the church to the crematorium.

To Debbie at Balloon Box, for supplying 200 balloons at cost price, for Wedges Bakery of Tamworth-in-Arden, for getting up in the early hours and laying on a first class spread for Sam's wake at a discounted price, and to Steve and Lileth Evans of Intafruit for footing that bill.

The couple would like to thank Kate at The Ladybird Inn, Aston Fields, for donating the donations of a quiz night to Action for Children, Vic and Paul's chosen, and very worthy, charity, and to Cut Throat Tattoo artists for offering Vic a free tattoo of Sam's name.

The couple are also extremely grateful to Eden Flowers for their striking arrangements and to James Giles for being so accommodating and making the funeral arrangements less painful, and for producing an unforgettable cask for Sam, which featured stunning photos he had taken on a family holiday in America.

A spokesman for the family said: "Our thanks to Christine the vicar at St Godwalds for her sympathy and compassion, for getting involved with the family, and giving a lovely service.

"To Chris at Finstall Rugby Club, for his magnanimity and understanding and just for being such a nice man.

"To all Sam's devoted family and many wonderful friends who came to show their respects.

"And generally anybody who helped in any way at all to make Sam's send-off so remarkable."